Center of Emphasis

D2L Calendar - Using Colors

Q: "Can I use color in my calendar for my PAWS (D2L) course?"

A: Yes color can be used.  The most important things to remember about color usage anywhere in the course are:

• Do not use color alone to convey important information. For example, do not post "Due dates are indicated in red." Individuals with certain forms of color-blindness may not be able to distinguish the color. Entries with color should include some form of symbology that is color independent, such as an asterisk. For example, use "Due dates are indicated in red and marked with an asterisk (*)."
  
  
• Provide sufficient color contrast. Using a light colored text on a white background will cause problems for users with low vision. Make sure there is plenty of contrast between the foreground (text) and the background. Darker colors of text will work best.

Posted at 12:00AM May 01, 2007 by tblankenbeck in Desire2Learn  | 

Tracking in D2L

Question:  Where is the tracking feature in D2L?

Answer: The tracking feature in D2L provides a great deal of information to instructors that was not available in WebCT. D2L refers to this feature as View Progress. This can be located by selecting the Classlist. To View Student Progress: The left-most column includes the View Progress tool (It looks like a paper and magnifying glass). To view a student's progress click on the View Progress tool on the appropriate row. The logon category includes all of the student's logons, regardless of which D2L class he/she went into. The other categories are specific to the current D2L class. Most categories have a Details link for more specific information.

Posted at 01:15PM Apr 25, 2007 by eadams in Desire2Learn  | 

Comments

The COE Staff is getting comments from faculty who have attended D2L training - reporting how excited they are about D2L. Please use this topic to add your comments about D2L to the blog. Faculty are doing a tremendous job with the migration. Please share your thoughts.

Posted at 01:16PM Apr 13, 2007 by eadams in Desire2Learn  | 

D2L Access

Question:  When can I access my course in D2L?

Answer:  Faculty will receive a user name and password for D2L during the Tool Time:  Content Manager in D2L session conducted by the Center of Emphasis. To register for a session, visit the COE Calendar. http://distance.southwest.tn.edu/coe/calendar/calendar2007/calendar2007.php

Posted at 02:11PM Apr 11, 2007 by eadams in Desire2Learn  | 

D2L File Types

Question:  Can I use .csv files in Desire2Learn?

Answer:  All files except the types listed below can be uploaded to Manage Files in D2L and used in course content.

Certain files are restricted and may not be uploaded through Manage Files for security reasons. Such files could contain malicious or other harmful code that possess a potential risk to the installation and its users.

You can create Content topics from all file types that are not restricted.

Files with the following extensions are restricted:

.asa	.asax	.ascx	.ashx
.asmx	.asp	.aspx	.axd
.bat	.cdx	.cer	.com
.config	.cs	.csproj	.dll
.exe	.idc	.ini	.jsl
.licx	.rem	.resources	.resx
.shtm	.shtml	.soap	.stm
.vb	.vbproj	.vjsproj	.vsdisco
.webinfo

Posted at 02:06PM Apr 11, 2007 by eadams in Desire2Learn  | 

Reference/Resource Links

Question:  Is their a place for Reference/Resource material?

Answer:  The Link tool in D2L allows the developer to organize groups of links (such as resource or reference materials). However this tool is not currently available.  An alternative option would be to create an html page containing these for each module.

Posted at 09:32AM Apr 05, 2007 by eadams in Desire2Learn  | 

Same File in More than One Course

Question:  I use the same file in more than one course do I have to put it in each course? Basically wanting to share the same file across all courses?

Answer:  Yes. The only way to share a file across multiple courses is through the use of the Learning Object Repository. As the LOR is not stable at this time, designers will need to load the file into every course.

Posted at 09:31AM Apr 05, 2007 by eadams in Desire2Learn  | 

Content Sturcture in D2L

Question:  How will my content be structured on the Course Content page?

Answer:  Content structure on the Course Content page is up to the course designer. If they wish to change from the default settings, they will need to make an appointment with one of the COE staff for assistance. Designers may also want to consider the use of selective release conditions to control the Course Content.

Posted at 09:30AM Apr 05, 2007 by eadams in Desire2Learn  | 

Student Resources

Question:  When will resources be made available for our students to use, e.g. How to Use E-mail, Dropbox, etc.

Answer:   D2L provides “just in time” information shown on the left hand side of the screen. The Center of Emphasis will be producing a FAQ list for students based on resources from other schools that use D2L. Feedback from other institutions indicate that students need very little help to use D2L.

Posted at 09:27AM Apr 05, 2007 by eadams in Desire2Learn  | 

Icons in D2L

Question:  Can I still use my WebCT icons?

Answer:  No – D2L does not use icons like WebCT. D2L which will be known as PAWS for Online Learning is content centered rather than tool centered. Students will navigate and use tools only as needed to master the content presented in the course.

Posted at 06:34PM Apr 04, 2007 by eadams in Desire2Learn  | 

D2L Coming

Desire2Learn will be the new course management system for all TBR institutions. Full implementation date is fall 2007. Southwest will be running a pilot during summer 2007. The participants in the pilot are Michael Scott, Nita McMillan, Brenda Smith, Evelyn Little, Lilliette Smith, Lois Washington, and Pam Trim.  D2L training is in full swing. 

The Distance Education Staff is very excited about this move. Please feel free to ask questions as you learn more about D2L. Share experiences with other faculty during the Friday Forums or on this blog. The Center of Emphasis staff will post frequently asked questions about D2L on a regular basis so check back often.

Posted at 04:07PM Jan 19, 2007 by eadams in Desire2Learn  |